Flying

[Claremont2023]

I’m off on 10 hour flight Thursday, is it advisable to up the Pred? I was on 6.5 but have just put it up to 7.5 to see if it helps a bad back. Should I take it up more? I’m away for 2 weeks, do I stay on higher dose till home again if I do increase? Any advice please..

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Definitely no reducing whilst away…that’s for sure. And as you’re only away 2 weeks then it okay to stay at increased dose.. not sure it’s going to help bad back thought… ordinary painkillers might be better. Do you know what caused it?

This link contains usual advice for long haul flights-

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Claremont2023 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi. I woke up with it Boxing Day. Only thing I can think is that I didn’t move much overnight. Pain has been awful, couldn’t sit for more than a few minutes. Best relief lying on floor. Doctor has given me Codeine, Physio has given me exercises. It’s slightly better so something is working. It’s a 10 hour flight so not making decision till Monday as to do I go or not.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Where are you off to? The USA/Caribbean or the East? Or Africa/south? What is the time difference?

The only increase I would make, would be to take extra pred 24 hours after taking the dose in the UK if travelling to the west from the east with a long day. Then you need to take a proportion of the dose to account for the time difference and take you until the local time for your next daily dose. That makes life while away so much simpler!

Hope the back relents by Monday. Does the codeine achieve much? My go-to is 800mg ibuprofen with food and a hot water bottle over the sore bit - usually muscular and the heat relaxes it.

[Claremont2023 in reply to PMRpro]

I’m going to Tampa, Florida with a 5hr behind UK time. Something is easing it so can only hope it continues. I’m taking 2 Codeine twice daily plus slight exercises as advised. I was told I couldn’t take Ibuprofen because of PMR & steroids. The Doc says back muscles gone into spasm. Just my luck!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Claremont2023]

My rheumy uses NSAIDs for specific things. Longterm use isn't ideal but the odd dose, taken with food and possibly something like Pepcid/famotidine which you can get OTC if the doctor doesn't offer it, shouldn't be a problem. Taking 800mg in one dose has much more effect and you often don't need repeated doses with more irritant effect. It acts as painkiller and extra antiinflammatory and allows the heat to do its thing too. I wouldn't say use it more than like that - but it makes it possible to do the movements that will help too,

[Claremont2023 in reply to PMRpro]

Ok thank you for advice, I’ll give it a try.

[Claremont2023 in reply to PMRpro]

No the codeine didn’t do very much at all. Very fed up with it all, nearly 2 weeks now. I’m thinking to push flight back to next month & get this sorted. Thank you for your help as always. X

[CamGina]

I didn't take any extra - 8 hour flight to Canada in May. I just carried on with the same dose.

[Claremont2023 in reply to CamGina]

Ah thank you for that, I’ll stick at what I’m on now but take extra with me just incase.

[Pixix]

i flew to Tampa four months after diagnosis, never thought about increasing, all went very well. Have you read about the storm in the USA, due to move to the east? Youat want to take a couple of warmer clothes you wouldn’t normally taje! We used to go to CapeCoralbeach year, but the travel insurance is now £4,500 per visit as I have many other diseases! Enjoy your stay!

[Claremont2023 in reply to Pixix]

Yes my friend said to take warm pj’s as it gets cold at night.

[Pixix in reply to Claremont2023]

Good! Have fun!

[Birder21]

Hi we have just come back to UK from South Africa, both legs had a quick stop-over so long travelling days but I didn't increase at all and had no issues (I am on 7.5mg)

Just remember to book special assistance at the airport it is a god send and stops the long distance walking and carrying bags!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Birder21]

But remember it is the time difference and shifting the time of taking your daily dose as it is well over 24 hours from 8am in Manchester to 8am in the USA. I don't add any when travelling from Italy to the UK with 1 hour difference, I probably wouldn't bother from South Africa to the UK with 2 hours difference - but much more than that and I would take a bit more after about 24 hours. Flying from the USA to the UK with the "short" day I don't adjust the dose - just take it at the usual UK time when I get there.

[Duncoding]

I fly to San Francisco once or twice a year to see family, which is an 8-hour difference. I’ve found an easy solution is, 8 days before departure I take my steroids at 10am instead of 9am; next day it’s 11am, then midday and so on until, on the day I land, I take my steroids at 5pm UK time which is 9am US time. That way I take it at my usual time of 9am throughout my stay. And when i return I just unwind it so I’m back to 9am again after 8 days. Simples!

[Nagswoman]

Your post came at a great time. I may, just may, be going to Brasil in Feb. It did not occur to me to change preds time or dose. Also, I have found that when I have had to up the dose, my lower back pain goes away.

[Claremont2023 in reply to Nagswoman]

Interesting! Thank you